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Sydney Harbour from the Botanical Gardens
Sydney Harbour from the Botanical Gardens

Sydney Harbour from the Botanical Gardens

Artist (Austrian 1872-1935)
Date1906
Object number00015137
NamePainting
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsOverall: 739 x 947 mm, 5.6 kg
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
Collections
DescriptionOil painting on canvas by Austrian artist Paul Kutscha-Arendt titled 'Sydney Harbour from the Botanical Gardens'. This painting depicts a peaceful view of Sydney Harbour from the Botanical Gardens. An American naval cruiser, possibly the USS BALTIMORE is moored next to Fort Denison. The painting was produced when the USS BALTIMORE made a peace time visit to Sydney on 19 April 1906, on leave from its Asiatic station.HistoryThe USS BALTIMORE arrived in Sydney on 19 April 1906 as part of the US Navy’s Asiatic station and greeted Sydneysiders with a twenty-one gun salute. The BALTIMORE had served in the Mediterranean, South Pacific and the Asiatic station. It was the first American ship to visit Australian shores since 1901, when the USS BROOKLYN came to commemorate the newly formed Commonwealth of Australia. Such good will visits set the precedent for the American world tour in 1908 with the Great White Fleet.SignificanceThis is a fine example of an impressionistic view of Sydney Harbour. The presence of USS BALTIMORE demonstrates American tours of good will prior to the arrival of the Great White Fleet in Australia, 1908.